A middle-aged man who was arrested after he was lured into a trap by a campaigner against paedophiles has been jailed for four years.

Jeffrey Lewis believed he was meeting a schoolgirl for sex when he travelled from his home in Swanscombe to London by train.

But he was instead met by Shane Brannigan, who then loudly berated him, calling him a paedophile and a “nonce” to attract the attention of police officers.

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Film of the confrontation was then posted on Mr Brannigan’s Facebook page and on YouTube.

Under the extended sentence for public protection, Lewis, of All Saints Close,will have to serve two thirds before being considered for release by the parole board.

The bearded and long-haired 56-year-old pervert will be on licence for a further five years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Lewis had been asked to take with him an expensive bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey.

Video: Shane Brannigan confronts Jeffrey Lewis at London Bridge station

Judge Michael Carroll said: “He could have taken a box of chocolates. It was part of his intention for the full offence to be committed.

“I am not familiar with that brand so I don’t know what is expensive. He wasted a lot of money in that case.”

Prosecutor Stephen Shay said Mr Brannigan had set up a Facebook page where those concerned about child molesters could get in touch with him.

Messages were exchanged with Lewis in March this year in which he posed as a 15-year-old virgin. Lewis indicated he wanted to have sex with her.

"The alarm bells that must have been ringing must have been absolutely deafening and he still managed to shut them out" - Judge Michael Carroll

There was discussion about what they would have to drink and he agreed to take along the bottle of whiskey.

They arranged to meet at London Bridge station on March 28.

“He duly did attend that day and was confronted by Mr Brannigan and a friend who was filming the encounter,” said Mr Shay. “Mr Brannigan very loudly accused him of being a paedophile.

“He wanted to draw attention to the defendant so that the police nearby would act. The police arrested him.”

Alexia Zimbler, defending, said Lewis, who admitted arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, had no previous convictions.

Mr Brannigan had sent Lewis a friend request on Facebook with a photo which showed a naked female from the back.

“That is how this unusual situation began,” said Miss Zimbler. “I don’t express it that way to give him any kind of excuse. The conversation was not instigated by him.”

The judge said it begged the question why Lewis was targeted. “They so happened to have targeted someone who, once the trap was baited, responded,” he added.

Miss Zimbler said Lewis was flattered by the attention and did not listen to the alarm bells that should have been ringing.

“The alarm bells that must have been ringing must have been absolutely deafening and he still managed to shut them out,” said Judge Carroll.

Miss Zimbler said Lewis honestly believed a girl wanted him to take matters further.

The judge said Lewis took the whiskey because he thought it would “facilitate sexual intercourse”.

Passing sentence, he said: “The actual offence intended by you I am absolutely sure was for full sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old virgin who had requested you to bring along a bottle of bourbon.

“Your determination and conduct which led to your being arrested shows you pose a significant risk of serious harm to underage females.”

Lewis will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and his name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Paul Newton said: "The sentence imposed on Jeffrey Lewis demonstrates how seriously the police and judicial system take child sex offences.

"It is crucial that we continue to raise awareness among children and adults about the dangers of online grooming and how to spot it happening.

"We all have a duty of care to protect young people from harm and I would encourage parents and other people who care for the wellbeing of children to educate themselves about internet safety and online child sexual exploitation."

Mr Brannigan's Facebook page says his group, called The Nonce Hunters, "exposes the cancerous dregs of society, the paedophiles caught grooming people they believe to be underage children for sex."

It adds: "We are watching!"

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